Separator for downhole measuring and method therefor

Abstract

A separator for downhole measuring during sampling in a subterranean formation. The separator allows for mixed fluid phases to be separated while flowing formation fluid therethrough.

1. A downhole sampling device comprising:
 an inlet to be communicatively coupled with formation fluid of a subterranean formation; 
 a main sampling flowline coupled with the inlet; 
 a flow separator assembly communicatively coupled with the main sampling flowline, the flow separator assembly allowing mixed fluid phases to be separated into at least three components that can be substantially simultaneously sampled via corresponding multiple inlets while flowing formation fluid therethrough; 
 an exit flow line communicatively coupled between the flow separator assembly and at least one of a borehole or a sample chamber; and 
 one or more valves operable to change between a first configuration to another configuration, in the first configuration, the one or more valves operably connectable to the exit flow line with the borehole. 
 
     
     
       2. The downhole sampling device of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more valves has a second configuration in which the exit flow line is operably coupled with the sample chamber. 
     
     
       3. The downhole sampling device of  claim 1 , further comprising a fluid identification sensor associated with the flow separator assembly. 
     
     
       4. The downhole sampling device of  claim 3 , wherein the fluid identification sensor is used to determine when to activate the one or more valves to fill sample chambers. 
     
     
       5. The downhole sampling device of  claim 3 , wherein the fluid identification sensor is used to determine fluid level. 
     
     
       6. The downhole sampling device of  claim 1 , wherein the flow separator assembly includes an open chamber to separate fluids using gravity. 
     
     
       7. The downhole sampling device of  claim 1 , wherein the flow separator assembly includes at least one of a cyclone or a centrifuge separator. 
     
     
       8. The downhole sampling device of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one pump, the pump associated with the inlet, the pump adapted to draw the formation fluid into the sampling device. 
     
     
       9. The downhole sampling device of  claim 1 , further comprising a movable piston within the flow separator assembly. 
     
     
       10. A downhole sampling device comprising:
 an inlet communicatively coupled with formation fluid of a subterranean formation within a borehole; 
 a main sampling flowline coupled with the inlet; 
 means for allowing separation of mixed fluid phases to provide separated fluid comprising at least three components that can be substantially simultaneously sampled via corresponding multiple inlets while flowing formation fluid through an inlet and an outlet, the means for allowing separation communicatively coupled with the main sampling flowline; and 
 an exit flow line communicatively coupled with at least one of the borehole or a sample chamber, and the separated fluid to exit through the exit flow line. 
 
     
     
       11. The downhole sampling device of  claim 10 , further comprising an expandable packer configured to permit isolating a portion of the borehole. 
     
     
       12. The downhole sampling device of  claim 10 , wherein the means for allowing separation includes an open chamber separating fluids using gravity. 
     
     
       13. The downhole sampling device of  claim 10 , wherein the multiple inlets include at least a first inlet and a second inlet, where the first inlet has a different depth than the second inlet. 
     
     
       14. A method for sampling a formation fluid, the method comprising:
 positioning a downhole tool in a borehole within a formation; 
 establishing fluid communication between the downhole tool and the formation; 
 passing formation fluid through a fluid separator having a fluid separator inlet and a fluid separator outlet; 
 separating the formation fluid to provide separated formation fluid comprising at least three components that can be substantially simultaneously sampled via corresponding multiple inlets while passing the formation fluid through the fluid separator; 
 flowing at least a portion of the separated formation fluid into the borehole from the downhole tool; and 
 diverting at least a portion of the separated formation fluid to one or more sample chambers. 
 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 14 , wherein diverting at least a portion of the formation fluid to one or more sample chambers occurs while formation fluid is flowing into the borehole. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 14 , wherein the fluid separator is selectively voided of undesired formation fluids. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 14 , wherein separating the formation fluid includes separating the formation fluid using gravity. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 14 , further comprising using one or more valves and selectively sampling the formation fluid in different fluid phases. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 14 , further comprising operating a piston within the fluid separator to displace fluid in the fluid separator. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 14 , further comprising sensing fluid within at least one of the fluid separator, a fluid inlet, or a fluid outlet, and identifying at least one of fluid phase or fluid level associated with the sensed fluid. 
     
     
       21. The method of  claim 14 , further comprising using a valve and changing an exit flow path from coupling the fluid separator to the borehole, to coupling the fluid separator to the sample chamber. 
     
     
       22. The method of  claim 14 , wherein diverting at least a portion of the separated formation fluid includes diverting the portion via at least two different exit flow paths. 
     
     
       23. The method of  claim 14 , further comprising measuring at least one of fluid entering or fluid exiting the fluid separator, to determine when to activate one or more valves and when to fill the one or more sample chambers.